Emirates aims for high flyers with private Airbus A319 jet

Bespoke luxury in the sky – Ten private sleeper cabins take up the rear of the Airbus A319.

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Emirates' bespoke luxury in the sky 6 photos

Emirates' bespoke luxury in the sky – Mood lighting for when business is taken care of and the cocktails come out.

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Emirates' bespoke luxury in the sky 6 photos

Emirates' bespoke luxury in the sky – Emirates offer 1,500 entertainment channels on the two 42-inch LCD screens, as well as live TV and mobile connectivity.

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Emirates' bespoke luxury in the sky 6 photos

Emirates' bespoke luxury in the sky – Take the pain out of jet lag with a nap in one of the suites, complete with a fully lie flat seat and 32-inch TV.

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Emirates' bespoke luxury in the sky 6 photos

Emirates' bespoke luxury in the sky – Space to do deals in the adaptable lounge area.

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Emirates' bespoke luxury in the sky 6 photos

Emirates' bespoke luxury in the sky – Looking good: The marble and burr walnut accented bathroom has a full-height shower and a heated floor.

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Story highlights

Emirates Executive offers chartered flights on a luxury Airbus A319

Airline hopes to tap into a growing niche market, especially in emerging regions

Plane-maker Bombardier forecasts the private jet market will exceed pre-2008 levels by next year

For those that love the luxury of first class air travel but loathe the imposition of having to share it with others, Emirates thinks it has the aircraft for you.

The Dubai-based airline is aiming for the high-end business traveler with a new luxury private jet service. Launched this week, Emirates Executive is a bijou and bespoke version of its premium product in a dedicated Airbus A319. It can be chartered by individuals, groups or corporations through the website. Qatar Airways and Korean Air are two commercial airlines that offer a similar executive jet chartering service.

"We have seen an increasing demand in the private travel segment, especially in the Middle East and Europe as well as in markets such as India, Russia and China," said Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President for Planning, Aeropolitical & Industry Affairs.

"We are looking to tap into this niche market with the high quality of service and attention to detail."

The Emirates Executive Airbus A319 can accommodate 19 people, with the plane divided into two main zones.

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Private jets of the rich and famous 9 photos

Private jets of the rich and famous9 photos

Private jets of the rich and famous – The Gulfstream G650's nearly supersonic speed, ultralong range and fancy amenities have got aviation enthusiasts stoked. Celebrities are taking notice, too. Click through this gallery to see planes linked to celebrities.

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Private jets of the rich and famous9 photos

Gulfstream G650 – Oprah, media mogul David Geffen and designer Ralph Lauren reportedly have expressed interest in the Gulfstream G650. Its amenities include extra tall windows and a night-vision pilot display for safer landings. Seating: up to 18. Range: about 8,000 statute miles. Top speed: about 704 mph.

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Private jets of the rich and famous9 photos

Bombardier Global 6000 – Oprah and Bill Gates reportedly each own a Bombardier Global 6000, aka Global ExpressXRS. Nice amenity: private stateroom in the rear of the cabin. Bombardier says it can be ready to fly in as little as 30 minutes. Seating: up to 19. Top speed: 590 mph.

Bombardier Challenger 850 – Beyonce reportedly gave hubby Jay-Z a Challenger 850 as a gift. This Bombardier aircraft would make a great choice for any band's North American tour, says plane broker Greg Raiff. Seating: up to 14. Top speed: about 525 mph. Range: about 3,200 statute miles.

Gulfstream IV – Tom Cruise reportedly owns a Gulfstream IV. "I would take a Gulfstream IV anywhere and everywhere," says plane broker Greg Raiff. The U.S. Air Force flew this one to Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2012. Seating: up to 19. Range: about 4,800 statute miles. Top speed: about 580 mph.

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Private jets of the super rich 8 photos

Private jets of the super rich8 photos

Private jets of the super rich – Embraer's $53M Lineage 1000 on display at the Singapore Airshow. A retractable TV is possible, but it will cost as much as Ferrari to fit.

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Private jets of the super rich – A visitor to the Singapore Airshow walks up the steps of a Bombardier personal jet. "The richest are the most casually dressed," observes David Velupillai of Airbus Corporate Jets.

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Private jets of the super rich8 photos

Private jets of the super rich – A potential client enjoys the upholstery on board the Embraer Lineage 1000.

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Private jets of the super rich8 photos

Private jets of the super rich – Red carpet treatment for the private jets and their possible future owners at the Singapore Airshow.

Private jets of the super rich – Dinner for two? The "old style" interior of a Dassault Falcon 7X.

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Private jets of the super rich8 photos

Private jets of the super rich – On board the Airbus ACJ318. It's much like the commercial A318, but with a few extras, like room for a dining table and bedroom.

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Private jets of the super rich – More muted tones on board the Gulfstream G550. Any interior styling is possible.

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The front of the aircraft has a dining area and executive lounge designed to seat 12 people. Mechanically activated tables can be raised in front of two large sofas, while one of 1,500 channels of in-flight entertainment can be watched on two 42-inch LCD screens.

The rear of the aircraft has ten private suites -- similar to the ones found in Emirates' First Class cabins. Live TV, video conferencing facilities and high speed internet and mobile phone connectivity are also available on board.

Passengers with an appetite can have specially prepared meals served on board by Emirates crew, while a full-height shower with heated floor is available for those who need refreshment after all that exhausting pampering.

While the world's super-rich may still be able afford their own private aircrafts, the chartering of executive jets is a growing market. It's certainly a more affordable option than buying a large private jet outright; an Airbus ACJ318 (similar to the Emirates Executive A319) or long-range Gulfstream G650 costs around $65 million from the respective manufacturers.

While it took a big hit after the global recession that began in 2008, the private jet market is on the rise. According to forecasts by Canadian private jet manufacturer Bombardier, the industry is expected to exceed pre-2008 levels for the delivery of new jets by next year.

North America, with around 40% of the market, remains the biggest destination for private executive travel but the largest growth is expected to come from emerging regions in Latin American and Asia. Although hampered by lack of airspace and facilities, in the coming years China is expected to see a 15% increase in number of private jets flying in its skies, according to Bombardier.

The sector is worth $626 billion to manufactures like Embraer, Bombardier and Gulfstream. Boeing and Airbus produce executive iterations of their planes, including the 747 and A380.

David Velupillai, marketing director of executive and private aviation for Airbus says that their jets -- from A318s to superjumbo A380s -- can be fitted out according to their clients' needs.

"We can do features which the Chinese market particularly appreciates, such as a large round table which is the focus of Asian life. We can do Karaoke bars," he said.